wearing in flatwounds quickly

[sir juice]

I just got my bass set up with Labella Jamersons, and I'm waiting for them to wear in.

I'd like them to do so as soon as poss. because I know this bass is gonna sound fantastic and I have a gig in 2 days.

I read about Gabriel Roth from the Dap-kings rubbing chicken grease into his rounds to de-brighten them. Has anyone here had any experience doing anything like that to flats?

[snyderz]

Normally, I would use equal parts axle grease, mayonaise, lard, honey, chocolate pudding, mollasses, and cow poop.
Since you have a gig in 2 days, I'd just play it, and it will sound like it sounds.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by sir juice

I read about Gabriel Roth from the Dap-kings rubbing chicken grease into his rounds to de-brighten them. Has anyone here had any experience doing anything like that to flats?

Can you imagine the gunky mess this would make of your fretboard not to mention the smell of stale chicken grease.

As snyderz says, just play them as much as possible before the gig.

[puddin tame]

play them a lot?

Anyone tried those marcus miller strings that are supposed to sound broken in right out of the box? A music store cashier tried to sell me some once, this made me think of them

[J. Crawford]

Ive heard boiling strings does something to them, but having never done it, I couldnt tell ya!

From experience, just play em a lot. Theyll wear in.

[LaklandBass]

Boiling will sort of "refresh" older round wounds.
For flats ive tried the "eat some KFC and play" theory. It seemed to work decently well.

[Nashrakh]

If memory serves me correctly, machine oil has a similar effect to butter and grease, but doesn't leave and organic smell.

Some people have tried it out and apparently it does work to coat your strings in gunky stuff, lol.

[dmusic148]

DON'T put yucky stuff on your strings- except things like FastFret or Finger Ease...those products will help a bit. Gunky/oily things will ruin them.

[eyecandy]

the best thing is to just let them wear naturally

[baldy McBalders]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

Boiling will sort of "refresh" older round wounds.
For flats ive tried the "eat some KFC and play" theory. It seemed to work decently well.

Although, IME, this technique makes my chest feel tight, and shooting pain to radiate up my left arm. . .
Is that a sign the strings are breaking in?

[Pilgrim]

Don't put anything on them...that's not a good idea. They'll age naturally and even brand new, they sound very different than rounds. They'll be fine for your gig, and you'll like them even better six months from now.

[dwm74]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Don't put anything on them...that's not a good idea. They'll age naturally and even brand new, they sound very different than rounds. They'll be fine for your gig, and you'll like them even better six months from now.

Strong +1.

Just the thought of chicken grease (or any other grease) goes against my better judgment.

Although there was that YouTube video of some country music babe rubbing raw chicken legs over her strings...

I currently use Chromes on both of my basses. The only thing I did was to take a cotton ball with alcohol up and down each string to get rid of the metallic dust particles that are on them when they're brand new. After that, just play 'em.

[mellowgerman]

I rub mine down with normal moisturizing lotion. Doesn't break them in completely but it does a decent and even job at getting rid of some of that initial brightness.

[pbass888]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

Boiling will sort of "refresh" older round wounds.
For flats ive tried the "eat some KFC and play" theory. It seemed to work decently well.

that strategy has served me in a lifetime of situations! Im not sure you get the zing out of playing other than actually playing without say uneven wear.

[elzeder]

Hi

If you re really desperate don t use any chicken grease or anything that will get stiff, ugly and smelly.
Instead try using your own body grease, like touching your forehead, nose...with your fingers, play a lot, touch your head again, play again and so on. You might also wanna rub your strings up and down with that same "face grease". It works a bit if you re in a hurry.
Good luck

[Mr. Mig]

Originally Posted by eyecandy

the best thing is to just let them wear naturally

+1000000000000000
Don't put any grease or oils on them. Just let them break in.

[wshines1892]

Stick those bad boys in a rock tumbler for a few days, you'll sound like Jamerson.

[bassyRyan]

I wish the fellas from the Dap Kings would stop with the stupid "chicken grease" b.s..
Bosco Mann said the same thing, except he used ham or something. When are bass players gonna realize that rubbing meat on their strings does nothing to add to the mystique of the "Bass Player", or their tone for that matter.

[whatiswhat]

I almost threw a guy off a balcony for not washing his hands before picking up my bass. Please don't put animal fat on your strings

[wshines1892]

nothing wears in strings like good ole blood and sweat. I had a set of prosteels on for a show in this super hot little place and I ended up slicing my knuckle some how, those strings were dead as dirt after.